title: Meta-analysis: long-term therapy with rifaximin in the management of uncomplicated diverticular disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diverticular disease of the colon is a common gastrointestinal disease. Although most patients remain asymptomatic for their whole life, about 20-25% present symptoms related to 'diverticular disease'. Several randomised trials verified efficacy of a poorly absorbed antibiotic, such as rifaximin-α (rifaximin), in soothing symptoms and preventing diverticulitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the long-term efficacy administration of rifaximin plus fibre supplementation vs. fibre supplementation alone, on symptoms and complications, in patient with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pertinent studies were selected from the Medline, and the Cochrane Library Databases, references from published articles and reviews. Conventional meta-analysis according to DerSimonian and Laird method was used for the pooling of the results. The outcomes were 1- year complete symptom relief, and 1- year complication incidence. The rate difference (RD, with 95% CI) and the Number Needed to Treat (NNT) were used as measure of the therapeutic effect on each outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four prospective randomised trials including 1660 patients were selected. The pooled RD for symptom relief was 29.0% (rifaximin vs. control; 95% CI 24.5-33.6%; P<0.0001; NNT=3). The pooled RD for complication rate was -1.7% in favour of rifaximin (95% CI -3.2 to -0.1%; P=0.03; NNT=59). When considering only acute diverticulitis, the pooled RD in the treatment group was -2% (95% CI -3.4 to -0.6%; P=0.0057; NNT=50).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, treatment with rifaximin plus fibre supplementation is effective in obtaining symptom relief and preventing complications at 1 year.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera San Filippo Neri, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Festa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciaco
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mangone
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tornatore
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dezi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Luchetti
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: De Pascalis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Papi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004241:Diverticulum, Colon / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D012294:Rifamycins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000078262:Rifaximin; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D012294:Rifamycins; D000078262:Rifaximin